Full Breakdown
Jaguars' Day 2 Draft Picks Emphasize Size and Toughness
4/26/2026, 6:28:20 AM
Core Event: Jaguars Select Four Players on Day 2
On April 24, 2026, Jacksonville used its first pick at No. 56 to draft Texas A&M tight end Nate Boerkircher. The team added defensive tackle Albert Regis (No. 81), offensive guard Emmanuel Pregnon (No. 88) and safety Jalen Huskey (No. 100) after entering the draft without a first-round selection, having traded that slot for wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter in 2025.
Background & Context: No First-Round Pick and a Shift Toward Heavier Personnel
The Jaguars missed Round 1 for the first time in franchise history after the 2025 trade that sent their first-round slot to Cleveland for Travis Hunter. GM James Gladstone said offseason analysis showed a league-wide move toward larger tight ends and hybrid defensive backs, prompting the team to prioritize size and “mental toughness” in its Day 2 choices.
Player Profiles & Statistics
Boerkircher (6-ft-5, 245 lb) had 38 catches for 417 yards and four TDs, with 19 catches for 198 yards and three TDs in 2025, and a 4.78-second 40-yard dash. Regis (6-ft-1, 295 lb) posted 3.5 sacks, 11 TFL and ten pass breakups. Pregnon (6-ft-4, 314 lb) was a first-team All-America in 2025 after four college seasons. Huskey (6-ft-1, 192 lb) recorded 11 interceptions, ten passes defensed, 72 tackles and a 10.6 % missed-tackle rate in 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
Gladstone said the draft “mindset” – prioritizing players with the right mental approach – guided the picks, noting the league’s shift toward heavier tight ends matched Boerkircher’s profile. Coen added the team “got tougher tonight,” describing the selections as embodying the “attitude, toughness, mentally and physically” the Jaguars seek. Both confirmed staying at No. 56 rather than trading up to preserve depth on line, front and secondary.
Criticism & Opposition
Black & Teal called Boerkircher’s second-round pick a “reach,” citing modest receiving numbers and a later-round projection. AtozSports gave him a C, arguing his 4.78-second dash limits pass-catching but praised his blocking. The outlet graded Regis B for run-stop but noted limited pass-rush, and gave Pregnon an A+ for interior line value.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Boerkircher’s value—some see his blocking as a roster asset, others note low receiving output and draft-day reach. Regis’s pass-rush impact is contested; Pro Football Focus logged a modest 5.1 % pressure rate while analysts praise his run-stopping. No consensus exists on NFL translation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was an exciting evening,” — James Gladstone, General Manager
- “Round 2, Pick 56: Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M Coen: "Yeah, we definitely got tougher tonight.” — Liam Coen, Head Coach
- “The type of player, the type of person that we're trying to hunt up here, attitude, toughness, mentally and physically tough.” — Liam Coen, Head Coach
What’s Next
The rookies report to July camp, where Boerkircher will compete for a run-blocking role, Pregnon for a guard spot, Regis for interior defensive-line depth and Huskey for hybrid safety duties. The picks also give Jacksonville flexibility to address free-agency losses at tight end, linebacker and running back before the 2027 season.
